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Prison warning for man who leaned through window and stole bag

Last updated at 09:03, Tuesday, 24 June 2014

A homeless man who leaned through an open window and stole a bag from inside a Carlisle flat has been warned to expect a long prison sentence.

The theft of the bag containing an unspecified amount of cash from the flat in Belgarth Court, Carlisle, was technically a burglary, so 51-year-old Ian Moorhead faces at least a three-year sentence since he had two previous convictions for burgling domestic properties.

At the city’s Crown Court, Moorhead, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary and to stealing a £2.95 sandwich from the Spar shop in Newtown Road.

Both offences were committed on June 1.

Moorhead’s defence barrister told the court that he realised that, despite his “serious personal and psychiatric difficulties”, there would no alternative to a prison sentence.

“He is well aware that the court will only be able to consider a custodial sentence,” she said. “It is simply a matter of how long.”